Read the laws and still confused. CBT or DAS?

Hi All.

Newbie here. I've done googling and read all the info on gov.uk and youtube and other search results and even some schools' websites and there are still a couple things I'm confused about. Please accept my apology if any of these have been asked here before. If not, I hope the answers help other users as well.

I've ridden a scooter before (automatic 50cc), then I came to this country and have had my full UK driving license for 2 years now. I am now 32 years old. I would like to get motorcycling. I actually thought a car's driving license entitles me to ride up to 125cc but turns out I was wrong.

I am not keen on something like serious 600cc bikes; a mere 100-125cc will do me good, but I would like to eventually ride a manual instead of an automatic.

First question:

Right now, for my situation, what is the best option I should do? Do I absolutely have to do CBT first before I even attempt DAS? Or can one do a DAS without first having CBT? (i.e. are they allowed to test you on a bike on the road if you do not have initial entitlement?)

Second question:

If I do CBT, now that I have a full UK driving license, will it only last for 2 years or will it last for the duration of my driving license? If the latter, what happens when my driving license needs renewal in 8 years? Will the CBT entitlement transfer to the renewed license or will I still have to do it again?

Third question:

Say I would like to do a test: for either A1 or A categories. Since I have a car's driving license, do I still need to retake a theory test?

Last question:

When doing the tests (CBT or DAS or anything), do they need to be done on a manual bike if I would like to be entitled to ride a manual-transmission bike? Or can I do the test on an automatic bike and still be entitled to ride both?

Thanks in advance for reading, and for any answers, and all the best to y'all.

Hope to see you on the road soon.

Ride safe.

1 Must do CBT before you can do any others.

2 CBT only lasts for 2 years then must be renewed unless you have passed a bike test, A1 A2 or A

3 Yes. Bike theory test is different to bike theory.

4 if you want to ride a geared bike test must be on geared. A pass on geared allows manual or Auto riding. Pass on an Auto and you are limited to Auto only.

HTH

Your CBT can be done on a 50cc automatic, then you can ride a 125cc manual if you wish with L plates on.

well I think that covers everything - the only thing to add is if you want to do a full test to ride something bigger or because you don't want to take your CBT every 2 years / want to ride on the motorway / take a pillion, then you want to do the DAS that lets you ride anything. The tests are exactly the same as to those for a A1/A2 but with no restrictions so you can carry on with a 125 or nuts and get a thou

Many thanks for responding all.

Obviously I wanna have the most entitlements with the least cost, and I was wondering if I could do DAS without having to do CBT first.

Basically, to do absolutely anything, you must start with a CBT, regardless of any other circumstances, even if you have a full UK driving licence.

Thanks guys. I gotta book mine ASAP then. My new scooter is in the garage: taxed, insured, and waiting for me to hop on. Don't wanna waste any more days.